Edna May Wonacott Explained

Edna May Wonacott
Birth Date:6 February 1932
Birth Place:Willits, California, U.S.
Death Place:Yuma, Arizona, U.S.
Occupation:Film actress
Yearsactive:1943–1952
Children:3

Edna May Wonacott (February 6, 1932 – June 26, 2022) was an American child actress, best known for her role as Ann Newton in the 1943 movie Shadow of a Doubt. The director, Alfred Hitchcock, and film producer Jack H. Skirball handpicked the then-nine year old for the film while she was waiting for the bus.[1] [2] At that time she had absolutely no experience as an actress.

Wonacott received a seven-year contract and Hitchcock predicted that she would become a star within a year.[3] Other than Shadow of a Doubt, she made minor (uncredited) appearances in several films, including The Bells of St. Mary's and The Model and the Marriage Broker, then retired at age 20.[4]

Personal life and death

Wonacott was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elie Wonacott of Santa Rosa, California.[5] In 1951, she married Robert Royce Green and had three sons. As of 2010, she resided in Yuma, Arizona, under the name Edna Green.[6] She died there in June 2022, at the age of 90.[7]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1943Shadow of a Doubt Ann Newton
1944Hi, Beautiful Young Girl Uncredited
1945Under Western Skies Faith
1945This Love of Ours Youngster Uncredited
1945The Bells of St. Mary's Delphine Ford Uncredited
1951Sunny Side of the Street Bobby-Soxer Uncredited
1951The Model and the Marriage Broker 2nd Miss Perry Uncredited

Notes and References

  1. News: "Want to be a star?" . . December 27, 1942 . March 19, 2014.
  2. News: Father of movie starlet enjoys booming success . . October 7, 1942 . March 19, 2014.
  3. 1943-01-25 . $5,000 Production . Life . 70–78.
  4. Web site: Filmography for Edna May Wonacott . Turner Classic Movies . August 15, 2024.
  5. News: 10-Year-Old S.R. Girl Gets Chance at Role in Movies!. The Press Democrat. July 28, 1942. California, Santa Rosa. 1. Newspapers.com. April 8, 2018.
  6. News: In the movies . Yuma Sun . March 14, 2010 . July 3, 2016 . Schneider, Patricia . 41 & 44.
  7. Web site: Mutti-Mewse . Austin . Mutti-Mewse . Howard . R.I.P: A very belated farewell to the American child actress Edna May Wonacott, who died in June 2022, aged 90, and is best known for her role as Ann Newton, the younger sister of the films lead, played by Teresa Wright in the 1943 physiological thriller “Shadow of a Doubt” (1943), also starring Joseph Cotten. . film_mewse on Instagram . 26 October 2024 . 24 October 2024.